arrow_back Back to Course List
swap_horiz Are you a Pharmacy Tech? View the Pharmacy Tech version play_circle Prefer video-based? View the video-based version
description Monograph

Parkinson's Disease: A Collaborative Approach to Addressing Non-Motor Symptoms

Target Audience: Pharmacist

star star star star_outline star_outline 3.5/5 based on 64 ratings
schedule 3.00 Contact Hours (0.30 CEUs)
category Disease State Management/Drug Therapy
local_activity Knowledge

Course Overview

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is often identified by its motor symptoms; however, they represent only part of the disease burden. Non-motor symptoms (NMS) are now recognized as central features of PD. These symptoms may occur before motor signs appear, develop alongside them, or progress independently. Non-motor symptoms affect nearly every aspect of daily life, including mood, sleep, memory and thinking, autonomic regulation, pain, and sensory perception. This course focuses on NMS and highlights opportunities for pharmacists to support patients and contribute to interdisciplinary care.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Recognize non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease, including those that emerge during the prodromal phase
  • Distinguish pharmacologic strategies used to manage non-motor symptoms
  • Describe nonpharmacologic interventions that improve non-motor symptoms and promote quality of life
  • Identify interdisciplinary opportunities to support recognition, patient education, and referrals

Faculty

Authors & Activity Planners
Kimberly Valenta, MD
View Bio +
Kimberly Valenta is a freelance medical writer and editor. She studied chemistry at Mount Holyoke College and medicine at Northwestern University. After completing her anesthesiology residency, she joined the faculty at Stanford University, where she cared for patients and taught medical students and residents. In 2020, she transitioned to writing and editing full-time. She holds a certificate in medical writing and editing from the University of Chicago and is an active member of the American Medical Writers Association.
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S.
View Bio +
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S. is a licensed pharmacist and Freelance Medical Writer at Sardo Solutions in Texas.
Becca Resnik, RN
View Bio +
Becca Resnik received her nursing degree from Chattanooga State Community College. She has an MA in Translation Studies from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, and a BS in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Excelsior University, Albany, New York. Becca Resnik also has a Medical Writing Certificate from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy. Becca Resnik maintains an active Registered Nurse license.

I. Introduction

II. Epidemiology of Non-Motor Symptoms

III. Clinical Presentation

A. Categories of Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease
B. Fluctuations in Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms
C. Improving Recognition in Practice

IV. Pathophysiology of Non-Motor Symptoms

V. Diagnosis of PD: The Role of Non-Motor Symptoms

A. Non-Motor Symptoms as Diagnostic Features
B. Diagnostic Challenges

VI. Non-Pharmacologic Management of Non-Motor Symptoms

A. Physical Therapy and Exercise
B. Occupational Therapy
C. Speech and Swallowing Support
D. Nutrition and Diet
E. Mental Health and Cognitive Interventions
F. Complementary and Creative Therapies
G. Self-Management Strategies
H. Coordinating Interdisciplinary Care

VII. Practical Summary: Managing Non-Motor Symptoms

VIII. Advanced and Emerging Therapies for Non-Motor Symptoms of PD

A. Pharmacologic Therapies Targeting Non-Motor Pathways
B. Deep Brain Stimulation and Non-Motor Symptoms
C. Microbiome and Inflammation-Based Approaches
D. Non-Invasive Neuromodulation

IX. Case Study

X. Summary

From May 19, 2025 through May 19, 2028, participants must:

  1. Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
  2. Study the section entitled "educational activity"
  3. Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)

Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.

Faculty Planner Disclosure

The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Kimberly Valenta, MD, Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS, and Becca Resnik, RN. Kimberly Valenta, Pamela Sardo, and Becca Resnik have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships regarding the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.

Unlabeled Use Disclosure

The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.

Please ensure the device you plan to use meets these requirements:

  • Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 / Mac OS X 10.9 or later / iOS / Android
  • Supported Browsers: Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera
  • A connection to the internet

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.